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Affordable Housing Policy

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Council is considering a draft Affordable Housing Policy and Implementation Plan and is looking for your feedback.

The Affordable Housing Policy and Implementation Plan sets strategic direction for the municipality to keep working on affordable housing issues, implements housing policies from the Official Community Plan, sets targets for provision of affordable housing in new development, and identifies future actions and projects intended to improve housing suitability and affordability in the community.

We want to hear from you

Review the draft policy, and tell us what you think. Are we on the right track? If not, is anything missing, are there areas that need more emphasis?

The survey is now closed, thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

UPDATE: A report summarizing what was heard is being presented at the Tuesday, Sept 12 Committee of the Whole meeting. The report summarizes the results of public engagement, where residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Affordable Housing Policy and Implementation Plan. Council will consider what was heard before adopting the policy and/or deciding on next steps.

The meeting begins at 5pm in Council Chambers and online. You can attend the meeting, either in person or virtually.


There is also an opportunity for people to share stories about their experience with the housing crisis, and you can read the stories others have shared. See the 'Stories' tab below.

Council is considering a draft Affordable Housing Policy and Implementation Plan and is looking for your feedback.

The Affordable Housing Policy and Implementation Plan sets strategic direction for the municipality to keep working on affordable housing issues, implements housing policies from the Official Community Plan, sets targets for provision of affordable housing in new development, and identifies future actions and projects intended to improve housing suitability and affordability in the community.

We want to hear from you

Review the draft policy, and tell us what you think. Are we on the right track? If not, is anything missing, are there areas that need more emphasis?

The survey is now closed, thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

UPDATE: A report summarizing what was heard is being presented at the Tuesday, Sept 12 Committee of the Whole meeting. The report summarizes the results of public engagement, where residents had the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Affordable Housing Policy and Implementation Plan. Council will consider what was heard before adopting the policy and/or deciding on next steps.

The meeting begins at 5pm in Council Chambers and online. You can attend the meeting, either in person or virtually.


There is also an opportunity for people to share stories about their experience with the housing crisis, and you can read the stories others have shared. See the 'Stories' tab below.

Have a question about the draft Affordable Housing Policy? Ask it here. Questions will be answered within three to four business days.

You need to be signed in to add your question.

  • Share Is there a price for rent/purchase of a home that is considered affordable? Who determines this rate? on Facebook Share Is there a price for rent/purchase of a home that is considered affordable? Who determines this rate? on Twitter Share Is there a price for rent/purchase of a home that is considered affordable? Who determines this rate? on Linkedin Email Is there a price for rent/purchase of a home that is considered affordable? Who determines this rate? link

    Is there a price for rent/purchase of a home that is considered affordable? Who determines this rate?

    Emha asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you, this is a great question. Most often, housing is considered “affordable” when all housing-related costs (e.g., rent/mortgage, utilities) total less than 30% of a household’s pre-tax income. For example, the median household income in North Cowichan was $78,500 per year in 2021 (Census), so $1,962.50 per month would be the maximum a median household could affordably spend on housing. Of course, the amount that is affordable differs for every household and at any given time, which isn’t very useful for setting up affordable housing requirements or programs.  

    In the draft Affordable Housing Policy there is a proposed requirement that 10% of new housing units be affordable. For that policy, here are the draft definitions for affordable rent and purchase prices:  

    • For an affordable rental: the maximum price is the “Average Rent” for the area as published by CMHC (this is lower than the prices currently available because it includes units with existing long-term tenants). For example, the current “affordable” rent for a two-bedroom apartment would be a maximum of $1,136 per month.  
    • For affordable purchase: the price must be set 20% below the current benchmark price. For example, a current “affordable” price for a townhome would be $448,640.  

    Note that these definitions are written to allow different prices for different types of units and to allow the prices to change over time. These definitions of affordable are lower than what is being offered in the private market, but are still not going to be affordable for all households.

  • Share Why are clauses 9.1.d.i and 9.1.d.ii included in the draft policy? on Facebook Share Why are clauses 9.1.d.i and 9.1.d.ii included in the draft policy? on Twitter Share Why are clauses 9.1.d.i and 9.1.d.ii included in the draft policy? on Linkedin Email Why are clauses 9.1.d.i and 9.1.d.ii included in the draft policy? link

    Why are clauses 9.1.d.i and 9.1.d.ii included in the draft policy?

    crowther asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. 

    Section 9.1.d of the affordable housing policy is basically an “off-switch” for the housing affordability targets in section 9.1. Section 9.1.d.i) and ii). These sections describe market conditions where housing has become more affordable and so we don’t need to require developers to provide affordable housing. The idea is that if the market changes so that these two things are true, we won’t be quite as worried about affordable housing because more housing is available and affordable for more people:  

    • Section 9.1.d.i) is looking for a rental vacancy rate higher than 4% (the current vacancy rate is 0.3%)  

    • Section 9.1.d.ii) is looking for a real estate market where a townhouse is affordable to a high-moderate income family (approximately 40% of households), currently we estimate that purchasing a townhouse is only affordable to approximately 25% of households.

  • Share The land disposition policy is not strong enough. Has any consideration been given to creating a property endowment fund that could enable North Cowichan to be an active investor in property developments, and the profits be directed to infrastructure investments like affordable housing? on Facebook Share The land disposition policy is not strong enough. Has any consideration been given to creating a property endowment fund that could enable North Cowichan to be an active investor in property developments, and the profits be directed to infrastructure investments like affordable housing? on Twitter Share The land disposition policy is not strong enough. Has any consideration been given to creating a property endowment fund that could enable North Cowichan to be an active investor in property developments, and the profits be directed to infrastructure investments like affordable housing? on Linkedin Email The land disposition policy is not strong enough. Has any consideration been given to creating a property endowment fund that could enable North Cowichan to be an active investor in property developments, and the profits be directed to infrastructure investments like affordable housing? link

    The land disposition policy is not strong enough. Has any consideration been given to creating a property endowment fund that could enable North Cowichan to be an active investor in property developments, and the profits be directed to infrastructure investments like affordable housing?

    crowther asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your question. 

    The Municipality currently has an “Affordable Housing Reserve Fund” which is similar to a property endowment fund like you are describing. Section 5 of the draft Affordable Housing Policy provides more details about how money can be collected for the fund and how it can be spent. For example, the fund can be used for purchasing land or constructing new affordable housing.

Page last updated: 31 Oct 2023, 03:55 PM